Latest news with #JamesDaniels
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
NFL player compares his Achilles tear to 'illegal' deportations in bizarre remarks about LA protests
Dolphins guard James Daniels brought up the 'illegal' mass deportations occurring in the United States as he downplayed the Achilles injury he is recovering from. Daniels, who joined the Dolphins this offseason, is working his way back from an Achilles injury suffered last fall while he was with the Steelers. And when asked about his own challenges, he attempted to put things in perspective as he discussed the immigration raids in Los Angeles. 'I mean, I realize I'm in a great position,' he told reporters. 'You know, Achilles, yes it's unfortunate, but there are people in way worse positions, you know.' 'I think, like especially with what's happening in [ Los Angeles ], you know like people's parents, people's grandparents are being deported illegally, you know. 'Like, I don't have to worry about my mom getting deported or my dad getting deported or my wife getting deported, you know. And I've played a long time. I've made decent money. And so, there's a lot bigger issues that people have on their plate. So for me, going through an Achilles injury is pretty easy.' Daniels is entering his eighth year in the NFL after stints with the Bears and Steelers. He signed a three-year, $24million deal with Miami this offseason and has over $58million in career earnings, per Spotrac. His comments come amid a week of mass deportations and subsequent protests in Los Angeles, with President Trump continuing his stern focus on immigration. The president even deployed troops to the area as some rioters have lit cars on fire. However, the Trump administration later pumped the brakes on its mass deportation agenda, telling ICE officials to pause raids on farms, hotels and restaurants, The significant update was reported by the New York Times, who cited an internal email and three US officials familiar with the situation. Trump also acknowledged on his Truth Social platform hat some of the deportations he's ordered has hurt industries in agricultural, hospitality and food sectors. 'Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,' he said in a Truth Social post on Thursday morning. 'We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!' he added. Trump has received criticism in certain corners for his immigration crackdowns, though a large portion of Americans are on board with his policies. A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted last week found that a 55 percent majority liked the goal's of Trump's deportation program, while 44 percent said they liked how he was approaching it.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Dolphins' James Daniels says Achilles recovery is 'easy' compared to people 'being deported'
Miami Dolphins guard James Daniels is continuing to recover from a torn Achilles that he suffered during Week 4 of the 2024 season, but the veteran NFL player said it's nothing compared to what's going on in the U.S. Speaking to the media following a practice session on Thursday, Daniels took the opportunity to speak on the immigration arrests and the protests in Los Angeles when asked about the most difficult thing he's had to overcome during his recovery journey. "I spend a lot of time at home and I realize I'm in a great position. The Achilles, yes it was unfortunate, but there's people in way worse positions," he said. "Especially what's happening in L.A – people's parents, people's grandparents are being deported illegally. I don't have to worry about my mom getting deported, my dad getting deported or my wife getting deported." Daniels went on to call his situation "pretty easy" in comparison. "I've played a long time. I've made decent money. So there's a lot bigger issues people have on their plate. So for me, going through an Achilles injury is pretty easy." Nationwide federal immigration enforcement raids have prompted protests and demonstrations in many cities, with Los Angeles being the most volatile. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of roughly 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles following protests over his enforcement of immigration laws. Protests against those raids have led officials to enforce curfews in Los Angeles and Spokane, Washington. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins G James Daniels ramps up activity after Achilles injury
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins guard James Daniels did individual on-field drills in the first two days of mandatory minicamp, a positive sign in his return from a torn Achilles. "I'm right on the progression," Daniels said, suggesting a full training camp clearance is to come. Advertisement "Trying to ramp up," Daniels said of rehabilitation progress and the looming summer break. "I'll rehab, work out, spend time with like my wife and my cats." Daniels, 27, agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract this offseason. Daniels was very solid at right guard for the Steelers and Bears in each of the past four seasons. He and rookie Jonah Savaiinaea, who was also a right guard in college, have both said they are willing to try left guard but will leave the decision to the coaches. One of the two will land there in training camp. Will James Daniels play right guard or left guard for Dolphins? Daniels has been mentoring Savaiinaea. Advertisement "I think he's good," Daniels said. 'He really reminds me of one of my old teammates, one of my good friends, Isaac Seumalo. They have very similar movements and stuff. Jonah, he's always texting me, he's always texting other players asking for advice. He's always working after practice, so I'm pretty excited to see his development." The Dolphins are relying on Daniels to be healthy, and to deliver a physical punch. Miami Dolphins need to run more and run better in 2025 "You can't not be physical and run," Daniels said. "We can't just toss the ball every play and just circle defenses. It's not college. So there is a time where we're gonna have to block defensive line, we're gonna have to block linebackers every play. And so just being able to block them and then just consistently block them. That's why I was brought here. It's something I'm excited for." Sep 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers guard James Daniels (78) wears a guardian cap in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images And the Dolphins are relying on veteran linemen to help first-year starters like Savaiinaea and left tackle Patrick Paul. What advice would Daniels provide? Advertisement "You're really never graded on curve," Daniels said. "So it's like, it doesn't matter, Year 10, rookie, you can't miss a block. Nobody's going to feel sorry for you." Tua Time: Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa ends practice with deep TD pass Joe Schad: Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel delivering no-nonsense tone. Will it work? Zach attack: Miami Dolphins impressed by Zach Wilson's 'supreme arm talent' Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@ and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' James Daniels mentoring Jonah Savaiinaea
Miami Herald
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Dolphins guard James Daniels expects to be ‘fully healthy' from torn Achilles by training camp
James Daniels didn't mince words when asked about his Achilles injury. 'Achilles injury in the contract year, the quality I was playing last year, honestly, it as was brutal,' said Daniels who tore his Achilles Sept. 29, 2024. 'That's a tough thing to happen.' Daniels, however, will be back in time for training camp, the new Miami Dolphins signee said Monday, a good sign considering the need for strong offensive guard play after the team's dismal rushing offense in 2024. 'I'm going to be fully healthy when the season starts,' Daniels said. Daniels tore his Achilles during the Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 4 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. The 2018 second-round pick was in the midst of a career season, accumulating a Pro Football Focus grade of 92.9 which ranked second among all guards. That similarity between the Steelers' and Dolphins' schemes happened to be one of the major reasons why Daniels chose Miami. 'The outside zone scheme, that's what I was playing in Pittsburgh and that's what I did back in Iowa,' Daniels said, explaining that the scheme requires him 'to play fast and attack. So much of the man scheme is double teams and like fitting in and like driving people slow. With the outside zone scheme, you're expected to attack and play with speed. I feel like my best year, last year in the NFL, my best tape was playing in this type of scheme and I'm excited to get a chance to play in it again.' Although Daniels excelled at right guard in 2024, he has experience on the left side and at center. Not even the Dolphins have given the No. 36 overall pick any indication where he'll play. 'They're still figuring things out,' Daniels said. 'They just said during OTAs they'll have a plan.' On one hand, he can stick at right guard and, alongside tackle Austin Jackson, build a formidable wall for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's blind side. Conversely, the Dolphins could also opt to switch Daniels to the left to help out second-year tackle Patrick Paul who would be the likely replacement for two-time Pro Bowler Terron Armstead if he chooses to retire. 'I feel at home anywhere,' Daniels said. 'Yes, I've played right guard the past three seasons, but in Chicago, I played left guard and I played center as well.' Added Daniels: 'It really doesn't matter because the coach is teaching the same technique to the left guard, he's teaching the same technique to the right tackle, left tackle. The techniques are the same. He's not coaching people differently.' The former Iowa offensive linemen started his career at left guard with the Chicago Bears. Daniels then switched between center and both guard positions before he signed with the Steelers in the 2022 offseason. He primarily played right guard in Pittsburgh. In early March, Daniels reportedly signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Dolphins, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. For Miami, the deal made sense considering the team finished 21st in rushing offense. That comes just one year after the Dolphin fielded the sixth-best rushing offense. Daniels, meanwhile, ranked second in run blocking among all guards through four games of the 2024 season. 'It's a really good offense to play in, a really fun offense to play in,' Daniels said, adding that 'the style of play of the offense plays into my strength' and 'there's a lot of playmakers.' The hope is that if the Dolphins reestablish their ground game, all else will follow. Daniels knows this. Even more accurate, he knows that Dolphins fans view him as a key cog in their team's offensive success. 'Every free agent signing, especially when it's a multi-year deal for a total of double digits, you understand that you're being signed to a team for a reason,' Daniels said. 'Financially when they're giving you that much money, you're expected to come in and be a change to the team. I understand the position I'm in, and I understand that the Dolphins believe a lot in me and that the fans are expecting a lot from me.'
USA Today
17-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
9 best remaining free agents for the Dolphins to consider
9 best remaining free agents for the Dolphins to consider The Miami Dolphins didn't make any huge splashes in the first week of free agency activity, but they didn't sit on their hands either. Offensive linemen James Daniels and Larry Borom, safeties Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis, quarterback Zach Wilson, wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, running back Alexander Mattison, tight end Pharaoh Brown, linebacker K.J. Britt, cornerback Artie Burns and punter Ryan Stonehouse are all joining the Dolphins. But there's plenty of room to make more moves. While Miami isn't in position to make many big acquisitions until more salary cap space is cleared, there's ways to do that and there are still plenty of bargain bin options on the market that could catch their eye. With defensive linemen, offensive linemen, and cornerbacks still at the top of the Dolphins' list of needs, here are nine players who are still available and could interest Miami: CB Rasul Douglas (Bills) He's probably out of the Dolphins' price range, but Douglas could give the team the starter it lost when it parted with Kendall Fuller to save salary cap space. Entering 2025 with Storm Duck, Cam Smith, and Kader Kohou competing for that role wouldn't be ideal. CB Asante Samuel Jr. (Chargers) A shoulder injury that cost Samuel almost all of the 2024 season could drop his price range. Then again, the 25-year-old cornerback was too impressive in his first three seasons to be cheap. OG Brandon Scherff (Jaguars) Scherff is no longer the perennial Pro Bowler he was during his time in Washington, but the 33-year-old veteran was still a capable starter in his three years with the Jaguars. He'd be a short-term fix in Miami, but that's all the team needs to avoid starting a rookie or Liam Eichenberg in 2025. CB Stephon Gilmore (Vikings) The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year has settled into a mercenary role with stints on five different rosters in the last four years. At age 34, it's a question of how much gas is left in the tank. But like Scherff, he could be a relatively cheap stopgap solution for the Dolphins. OT Jedrick Wills (Browns) The former top 10 draft pick steadily declined after a promising start to his five seasons in Cleveland. Wills' last two years with the Browns ended with season-ending knee injuries. But those dings could make him a swing tackle and quality backup to battle Borom for the right to replace Kendall Lamm. OG Will Hernandez (Cardinals) Hernandez is also coming off a 2024 campaign that ended with a lengthy stay on IR that undercut his free agency value. The former Giants second-round pick is a reliable pass blocker, who could step into the starting lineup right away. OG Dalton Risner (Vikings) In each of his two seasons with the Vikings, Risner counted for less than $3 million against the team's salary cap. While he was a pretty reliable starter for Minnesota, the veteran guard didn't show anything to suggest his price tag will be any larger in 2025. DL Calais Campbell (Dolphins) The defensive line market is awfully bare. With Da'Shawn Hand already headed west to join the Chargers, keeping Campbell would be huge for the Dolphins. The big question is whether or not the massive lineman wants to come back for an 18th season in the NFL. DL John Cominsky (Lions) A knee injury cost Cominsky the entire 2024 season, but he was a pretty reliable rotational lineman for the Lions in the two years prior. In 30 games and 19 starts with Detroit, Cominsky recorded six sacks and seven tackles for loss.
